Lisa B. posted - I am trying to rescue some music files on an old hard drive from a friends computer that doesn't exist anymore. I've placed the hard drive in an enclosure and am able to see all the files.

Unfortunately, I cannot access his documents because he must have had a user account with a password that is "protecting" his documents (under documents and settings). Error message is "access denied". Any
suggestions on removing the access restrictions and being able to read the files.

Note, I can access all the other files on the hard drive, because they aren't protected by the user account password.

Nepatsfan answered:
You need to disable Simple File Sharing and take ownership of the files. Take a
look at these articles for more info:

Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you must start the computer in safe mode, and then log on with an account that has Administrative rights to have access to the Security tab. To start in Safe Mode, reboot your computer and start tapping the F8 key as soon as you see anything displayed on the screen. Keep hitting F8 until the Advanced Startup Options menu appears. Use the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard to select Safe Mode. Hit Enter.

########################################2) Password Niggle

kandykane asked - I haven't used my desktop for like 6 months and now I have forgotten my password to logon to my computer. Is there a way to get around entering the password?

JS said:
Note: There is a hidden 'Administrator' account (the account name is: Administrator) in Windows. The default password for this hidden account is normally blank (none).

For XP Home users:
Boot the computer into Safe Mode. Do this by pressing the F8 key (several times) after the Power On Self Test is finished, until the Start menu appears. This will get you to the correct menu window. Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account and any other accounts. (Note: Accounts are displayed alphabetically). Use the mouse or Up/down arrow keys to highlight the 'Administrator' account; Remember as mentioned above: The default password is a blank (no password
required).

For XP Pro users:
You do not need to go into Safe Mode. At the Welcome Screen, do/press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twice to display the Windows logon box.

Type in "Administrator" (without the quotes) and 'if' you assigned a password when you set up Windows, then enter it. (Note: by default the password is blank, no password need be entered)

Once your in, then:
Click Start/Run/and type in: Control Userpasswords2 and then press OK Next click the 'Users' tab (if it's not already selected). Now click on the user's account name.that you want to change/reset the
password for, and Click the 'Reset Password' button located at the bottom right. Enter the new password into the 'New password' box, Enter the same password again in the 'Confirm new password' box. Next click the 'OK' button and once again click 'OK'. Finally restart your PC, and logon using the account name and password you entered.

Also see: How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your password or if your password expires
(This Microsoft article applies to both XP Home and Pro):

OscarV. wrote - I bought An OEM version of XP (sp2c) at a local electronics store. I want to install it on a laptop. If I ever replace this laptop, and want to install it on my next laptop, will I be able to get it activated? I know I would at least have to call MS's 800 number. I've done that before when I've moved XP &/or Office from one PC to another. But will this OEM version be treated any differently?

DL replied:
An OEM version is licensed to the first PC its installed on, its not transferable. And, if your Laptop was supplied with Vista you would need to find out whether winxp drivers are available before you do the dirty deed. - which might also affect any warrantee or support.

GlowingBlueMist replied:
Normally an OEM copy is for use on the first computer it is installed on and no others, not like a retail version where you can transfer it to another computer provided you are deleting it from the first one.

Ken B. replied:
An OEM version is permanently tied by its license to the first computer its installed on, and it may never be moved to another.

I think OEM copies of Windows XP are very poor value, and I always recommend the retail upgrade, which usually costs only slightly more, instead. And despite what some people think, an upgrade copy *can* do a clean installation as long as you own a CD of a previous qualifying version to show it as proof of ownership when prompted.

########################################4) TweakUI

justagirl asked - I googled for Tweak ui and went to an m/s site where it described the toys available under the Tweak utility. But the one I really wanted wasn't there.

The one I want is the toy/app/tweak that gets rid of Shortcut-Arrows on the desktop. I have it on my win98 comp and it works just fine,,, Q: does the Tweak UI for xp offer this? Does anyone know where I can get a utility to do this on XP?

Ken B. said:
The free Microsoft TweakUI will do this, and many other useful things for you:

Malwarebytes is as the name says, a Malware Remover! For the Free version scroll down their page to either download from Download.com, or Major Geeks.com

Activating the full version unlocks realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating.

*** You dont "need" realtime protection, etc. I'm publishing this for your testing to see if you want to try it. Still, best bet is NOT to download or install malware in the first place. While I wont use it, perhaps your customers may find it productive, or, it may come in handy when fixing a customers/friends PC.

I know my PC is clean, and the above didn't find anything, which is why I am keeping this article; unlike "other" free/paid apps. you may try.

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